CALGARY, Alta. – Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong named 21 players to Canada’s roster for the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, which runs from April 24-May 10 in Zurich-Kloten and Bern.

“The management group and coaching staff is very encouraged by the roster that we have been able to assemble,” said Armstrong. “This is a group that has a great deal of international experience, while having a good combination of veterans and younger players.”

Canada’s current roster includes 20 players, including two goaltenders, six defencemen and 12 forwards. Goaltender Fred Brathwaite (Ottawa, Ont./ Mannheim, DEL) and defenceman Joel Kwiatkowski (Kindersley,Sask./ Cherepovets, KHL) will also join the team in Switzerland as alternates and could be added to the roster. Canada can name up to 25 players on its final roster.

The roster includes 13 players with World Championship experience (Armstrong, Doan, Fisher, Hamhuis, Heatley, Horcoff, Lombardi, Phillips, Roloson, Roy, St. Louis, Spezza, Weber). Seven of the World Championship rookies (Doughty, Harding, Neal, Schenn, Stamkos, Upshall, White) have had international experience with the National Junior Team.

Armstrong and assistant general managers Pierre Gauthier and Joe Nieuwendyk, along with Hockey Canada executive vice-president of hockey operations Johnny Misley, will continue to monitor the NHL playoff situation and could name more players to Canada’s World Championship roster after the first round of the NHL playoffs. Canada can register up to 25 players to its roster for the 2009 IIHF World Championship.

Canada’s World Championship management group is working closely with Canada’s 2010 Olympic Management Group, led by Executive Director Steve Yzerman, in assembling this team and using this as an additional opportunity to prepare for the 2009-10 season, which will include the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The players and staff named to Canada’s roster will start assembling in Switzerland on April 20th. Canada faces Belarus in its first game at the 2009 IIHF World Championship, on Friday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. (EST)/ 4:00 p.m. (Local Time).

TSN/RDS will broadcast all of Canada’s games at the IIHF World Championship live across Canada. Check your local listings for game times in your area.